Will Requirements in Vermont
A Vermont will must be signed before two credible witnesses who attest in the presence of the testator and each other, handwritten unwitnessed wills are not recognized, and a will can be self-proved.
Last checked . General information, not legal advice.
Vermont at a glance
- Witnesses
- 2 witnesses
- Self-proving affidavit
- Allowed
- Handwritten (holographic) wills
- Not recognized
The rules in Vermont
How many witnesses does a will need in Vermont?
A will in Vermont must be signed in front of two witnesses, who sign it too.
Can a will be self-proved in Vermont?
Yes. Vermont allows a self-proving affidavit, which lets a court accept the will without calling the witnesses to testify.
Is a handwritten will valid in Vermont?
No. Vermont does not recognize unwitnessed handwritten wills made under its own law.
Where do the Vermont rules for wills come from?
They come from 14 V.S.A. 5 Execution of will; requisites and 14 V.S.A. 108 Self-proved wills. We last checked them in October 2026. Laws change, so check the current statute before you rely on it.
How Vermont compares
27 jurisdictions recognize handwritten wills; Vermont is not one of them, so a will made there should be witnessed.
What this means in practice
Sign the will in front of all the witnesses at the same time and have them sign right after you. Many people choose adult witnesses who receive nothing under the will, which avoids questions later.
Keep the signed original somewhere safe and tell your executor where it is. A copy is usually not enough to probate a will.
Changing a will later takes the same formalities: sign a codicil or a new will with witnesses, rather than writing changes on the original.
General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.